> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.flowx.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Start integration workflow action

> The Start Integration Workflow action initiates a configured workflow to enable data processing, transformation, or other tasks across connected systems.

<Info>
  The Start Integration Workflow action is available on **Send Message Task**, **Task**, and **User Task** nodes within BPMN processes.
</Info>

## Overview

The Start Integration Workflow action allows a BPMN process to trigger an integration workflow, send input data, and receive the workflow output at a designated result key. This enables processes to delegate data fetching, transformations, and external system integrations to lightweight workflows without creating subprocesses.

<Tip>
  For triggering workflows from **UI Flows** (without a BPMN process), see the [Start Workflow action](../ui-flows#configuring-the-start-workflow-action).
</Tip>

***

## How it works

When a Start Integration Workflow action is triggered:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Input data is sent">
    The input data mapped in the action configuration is sent as start variables to the workflow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Workflow executes">
    The integration workflow runs with the provided inputs, executing its configured nodes (REST calls, data transformations, AI operations, etc.).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Output is captured">
    Workflow output data is captured on the specified result key in the process instance upon completion.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Process continues">
    The BPMN process continues to the next node after the workflow completes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  The process waits for the workflow to complete before continuing. To receive output data, you must add a **Receive Message Task** node after the Send Message Task that triggers the workflow.
</Warning>

***

## Configuration

### Selecting a workflow

The **Select Workflows** dropdown displays:

* All workflows within the current application version
* Any workflows referenced in the application (e.g., via the Library)

### Input mapping

Map process variables to workflow input parameters:

```json theme={"system"}
{
  "customerId": "${processInstanceData.customer.id}",
  "requestType": "credit_check"
}
```

### Result key

Configure the **result key** where workflow output data will be stored in the process instance variables after completion.

### Receiving output

To capture workflow output in your process:

1. Add a **Receive Message Task** node after the node with the Start Integration Workflow action
2. The workflow output is automatically mapped to the configured result key
3. Subsequent nodes can access the output data via the result key path

***

## When to use

| Scenario                                       | Recommended Action         |
| ---------------------------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Call external APIs and return data             | Start Integration Workflow |
| Run data transformations                       | Start Integration Workflow |
| Execute AI operations (extraction, generation) | Start Integration Workflow |
| Multi-step user journeys                       | Use subprocesses instead   |
| Processes requiring state management           | Use subprocesses instead   |

***

## Related resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Passing data between nodes" icon="arrow-right-arrow-left" href="../process/passing-data-between-nodes">
    How node outputs land in process variables and how downstream nodes read them
  </Card>

  <Card title="Integration Designer" icon="plug" href="../../platform-deep-dive/integrations/integration-designer">
    Build and configure integration workflows
  </Card>

  <Card title="UI Flows - Start Workflow" icon="play" href="../ui-flows#configuring-the-start-workflow-action">
    Trigger workflows from UI Flows without BPMN processes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Message Events" icon="envelope" href="../node/message-events/message-events">
    Learn about Send and Receive Message Task nodes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Actions Overview" icon="bolt" href="./actions">
    Explore all available action types
  </Card>
</CardGroup>